Preview: Bristol Rovers vs. Portsmouth - prediction, team news, lineups

In contrast, the visitors have the chance to claim a second straight victory following Tuesday's away win over Accrington Stanley.

Match preview

Bristol Rovers picked up seven points from three games before they played host to a playoff-chasing Wycombe side in midweek.

As it proved, the Gas were unable to extend their unbeaten run, falling to a 2-0 defeat following strikes from Brandon Hanlan and Chem Campbell.

After winning promotion from League Two last term, 14th-placed Bristol Rovers will be content with their mid-table position, but they will be hoping to creep into the top half of the table in their final 10 fixtures.

If they are to move up the league table then they will need to start picking up wins on home turf, after failing to win any of their last five league games at the Memorial Stadium.

Having failed to score in four of their previous five home league matches, Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton will want to see an improvement in the final third on Saturday.

After losing consecutive games to Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth returned to winning ways in midweek with a 3-1 away win against Accrington.

Moments after Accrington goalkeeper Lukas Jensen was sent off in the 10th minute, Joe Pigott have Pompey an early lead before Reeco Hackett doubled his side's advantage three minutes before the hour mark.

The numbers were evened when Pigott was given his marching orders, before Colby Bishop added a third for John Mousinho's side, and although Korede Adedoyin pulled a goal back in the 88th minute, Pompey eased to a comfortable 3-1 victory.

Pompey head into the weekend nine points adrift of the playoffs with a game in hand over sixth-placed Bolton Wanderers, but with 10 games remaining, mounting a serious playoff push may prove to be difficult.

Their main focus will be on Saturday's encounter where they have the chance to complete a league double over Bristol Rovers, after winning 3-1 when the two sides met in August.

Bristol Rovers League One form:

D

L

W

D

W

L

Portsmouth League One form:

W

W

W

L

L

W

Team News

Bristol Rovers could be without the services of Paul Coutts due to a knee problem, while James Gibbons will serve the second game of a two-match suspension.

Luca Hoole and Sam Finley have been struggling with illness over the last week, and the pair remain doubts for Saturday's contest.

Anthony Evans has had to settle for a place on the bench in recent weeks, but playing the duration of the second half in midweek, he could be brought into the starting lineup.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Zach Swanson, Marlon Pack, Jay Mingi and Ronan Curtis.

Mousinho has confirmed that Pompey have decided against appealing Pigott's red card, ensuring that the 29-year-old will miss out through suspension.

With Pigott unavailable, there could be a place in the starting lineup for Owen Dale, who dropped out of the team in midweek.

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:

Belshaw; Connolly, Quansah, Gibson; Sinclair, Bogarde, Ward, Gordon; Evans; Marquis, Collins

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Macey; Rafferty, Raggett, Towler, Ogilvie; Morrell, Thompson; Lane, Hackett, Dale; Bishop

We say: Bristol Rovers 1-2 Portsmouth

Pompey would have been buoyed by their midweek away victory, and after beating Bristol Rovers 3-1 in August, we think that the visitors will have the edge over their opponents on Saturday.

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